Internet Business Consulting

What is search engine optimization (SEO)?

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of designing your website in such a way that it is visible on the various search engines and directories to Internet searchers who may be looking for your goods and services. This process includes design changes, structural changes to the HTML code, and the editing of web page text to allow potential customers find your website more easily.

With the continued growth of commerce conducted through the Internet, the most cost-effective, focused way to communicate with your market is your website. Your website works for you 24/7; people can come to your site to see what you have to offer. With your website, you are able to reach people who are actively seeking to buy your products or services when they come looking for you!

Recent studies show that approximately 95% of people looking to purchase products or services use search engines to find products or services. Other studies show that the majority of searchers (around 92%) will only look at the first two or three pages of results—typically the first thirty listings of their search engine query. To reach the motivated prospects who are actively seeking to buy your products or services, your website needs to be seen by these searchers.

Having a website that does not show up on the first few pages of search engines is like having an unlisted phone number. Having a telephone number will not help you increase your business unless people can find your number when they need you. In the same way, your website must be visible to the people searching on the Internet for the products or services you offer in order for it to be an effective Internet marketing tool.

A website that shows up in the search engines for keywords that are unrelated to your product or service is like having a yellow pages ad in the wrong section of the phone book. If you sell widgets, you need to be listed under widgets in the phone book, and you need to be visible to the people searching for widgets on the Internet.

If your website is not currently generating new leads or new sales, it may be that Internet marketing is not currently a part of your business model. Or it may be that your website is not currently an effective marketing tool and could significantly benefit from optimization.

Contact Aim Higher! Consulting if you are interested in improving the business success of your website.